Police officers in Northern Ireland who are Freemasons, members of the Knights of Colmbanus or the Orange Order will have to disclose their involvement to their bosses under new measures.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed all officers will be required to notify the Chief Constable, Mr Hugh Orde, if they are members of Protestant, Catholic or other secret or cultural organisations.
The measure, which was recommended in the Patten Report, means members of loyalist marching organisations like the Orange Order, the Apprentice Boys of Derry, Independent Orange Order and the Royal Black Institution will have to declare their membership.
The nationalist Ancient Order of Hibernians and Catholic Knights of Colmbanus are included, as well as the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland.
Police officers who are members of organisations whose "views on race, ethnicity or national identity may be perceived to be in conflict with Section 32 of the Police (N.I.) Act 2000 and Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998" are also bound by the new rule.
Officers will also have to declare if they are a member of an organisation which they believe could call into question their impartiality.
PSNI assistant chief constable Mr Sam Kinkaid, who is responsible for implementing the human rights recommendations in the Patten Report, said the policy should be seen as a step to remove any negative public perceptions about the membership of police in certain organisations.
"The present state of community divisions in Northern Ireland means that membership of some organisations can be perceived in certain communities as affecting the ability of officers to discharge their duties effectively and impartially.
"I want to make it clear this is not a comment on the legitimacy or propriety of any of these organisations, rather it is about reasonable perceptions held by certain parts of the community."
He said the information gathered would be in confidence, and would only be disclosed under the terms and to the people listed in the Police Act.
The information would also not form part of the decision-making process in promotions, transfers and appointments.
"To ensure that the policy is implemented in a proportionate manner, we have undertaken to inform officers, in the majority of situations, if their details have been disclosed to third parties.
"The list of organisations will be subject to regular review.
"Police officers will receive specific guidance from the Chief Constable in the near future on their responsibilities in relation to this matter."
SDLP Policing Board member Mr Alex Attwood welcomed the move and called for civil servants and judges to also be forced to register membership of certain organisations.
The West Belfast councillor said: "It puts into practice the Patten proposals and can help build confidence by ensuring the officers declare their membership of secret organisations, particularly given the past associations between the police and marching orders. The fact that failure to declare will become a disciplinary offence and that the Police Ombudsman will have access to the register in the event of a complaint against an officer further strengthens this development."